Flamengo thrashed Figueirense 5-0 this Saturday afternoon at the Maracanã, reaching the top of the Brazilian Championship standings with 13 points. Marcinho, with three goals, and Souza, with two, shone in Flamengo's fourth home victory. The team from Gávea is hoping for a Cruzeiro loss tomorrow to maintain their position at the top of the table.

Before the match, the Brazilian champion basketball team took a victory lap around the Maracanã pitch to the delight of the fans. With the ball rolling, Flamengo went on the attack and quickly opened the scoring. Two minutes in, Marcinho exchanged passes with Maxi and simply chose his spot to make it 1-0 for Flamengo.

Dominating the game, Flamengo threatened again in the 21st minute, but Souza's shot went over Wilson's goal. In the 36th minute, Ibson passed to Marcinho, who set up Souza to score the second goal: 2-0 Flamengo. Three minutes later, Juan shot powerfully, Wilson parried, and Marcinho finished the play: 3-0 Flamengo.

With the fans celebrating in the stands, the Flamengo team didn't slow down and scored their fourth goal in the first half. Léo Moura made a beautiful play down the right wing and crossed for number 22 Marcinho to score another: 4-0 Flamengo. Marcinho is the top scorer in the Brazilian Championship, with five goals.

Flamengo returned for the second half controlling possession and managing the large lead they had gained in the first half. Figueirense came close to scoring in the second minute with a powerful shot from Ramon, but Bruno made a good save.

At 17 minutes, Léo Moura made another good play on the right and crossed to Ronaldo Angelim, who couldn't finish the play. At 29 minutes, Wellington Amorim shot from the edge of the area, Bruno made a great save, and the ball hit the right post.

With Kleberson, Obina, and Éder replacing Jônatas, Maxi, and Toró, Flamengo scored their fifth goal in the 43rd minute. Obina crossed into the box and Souza headed it in: 5-0 Flamengo.

In the next round, Flamengo will face São Paulo on Saturday at the Maracanã.

Flamengo 5 x 0 Figueirense

Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Date/Time: 7/6/2008 - 18:20 PM Referee: Leandro Pedro Vuadem (RS) Revenue/Attendance: R$ 293.056,00 / 22.002 paid Yellow cards: Juan and Marcinho (FLA); Léo Matos and Vinícius (FIG)

GOALS: Marcinho, 2'/1st half (1-0); Souza, 36'/1st half (2-0); Marcinho, 39'/1st half (3-0); Marcinho, 44'/1st half (4-0); and Souza, 42'/2nd half (5-0). FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Toró (Obina, 16'/2nd half), Jônatas (Kleberson, 10'/2nd half), Ibson and Marcinho; Maxi (Éder, 30'/2nd half) and Souza. Coach: Caio Júnior. FIGUEIRENSE: Wilson, Bruno Aguiar, Vinícius, Asprilla and Léo Matos (Anderson Luiz, half-time); Magal, Cleiton Xavier, Diogo (Ramon, 40'/1st half) and Marquinho; Rodrigo Fabri (Edu Sales, 34'/2nd half) and Wellington Amorim. Coach: Guilherme Macuglia.

photo: lancenet.com.br

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